Andrew the winner in Wright's WSL absence

Australia's Keely Andrew is out to make the most of a second chance on the WSL Championship Tour.Image: AAP

Keely Andrew isn't saying no to a Championship Tour second chance after her initial qualification tilt was ruined by injury last year.

The Sunshine Coast surfer will take countrywoman Tyler Wright's place in the World Surf League main draw for at least the first half of the season after an ill Wright ruled herself out on Thursday.

Andrew can sympathise with the two-time world champion, given her season - and chances of a CT berth in 2019 - were crippled by a knee injury in France last year.

The 24-year-old had beaten eventual world champion Stephanie Gilmore on the way to the Gold Coast final but finished the season watching from the couch.

"I felt like I got a bit ripped off last year not being able to fight for my spot," she said.

"I started on such a high ... my year went downhill from there and it was pretty heartbreaking, I was a bit angry.

"But I was talking to Bede (former professional turned Surfing Australia performance boss Bede Durbidge) when I was injured and he said 'funny things will happen where you'll find yourself with a spot back on tour'."

Wright's ongoing battles with influenza and post-viral syndrome have proven to be just that, with the crippling illness keeping her off the water since late last year.

Wright's tour absence will hamper her Olympic qualification efforts, with Australia's top-two tour performers this year selected to surf at Tokyo's 2020 Games.

The women and men will also surf for equal prize money for the first time this year, starting on the Gold Coast next week.

Andrew will lose her automatic entry to Wright if the champion is fit to return later this year, however Andrew can retain her place beyond that by qualifying or courtesy of a wildcard.

"Unfortunately it's come at the expense of Tyler but you take every opportunity as it comes," Andrew said.

"Everything happens for a reason and it's come at the right time for me.

"I feel stronger and am surfing better than ever before ... everything feels like it's in the right place."